It’s Skunk Mating Season In Michigan, Here’s The Best Ways To Keep Them Away

As a kid, I loved skunks because of the cartoon character Pepé Le Pew

As an adult that's owns a house that cuteness has faded away.

Last year we tore down our old water-soaked shed and while we waited for a new one to go up we put everything outside under tarps to protect it from the elements.

The tarps did a good job of keeping things dry.

They also did a great job of attracting a family of skunks to try and live under them.

One late night as I was trying to fall asleep before my 4 am alarm clock went off I heard my wife screaming for help. I assumed someone was trying to break in and it was my chance to save my wife.

Turns out her screams for help were not from someone trying to get in, but instead that our dog Benny had been sprayed in the face by a baby skunk.

My poor wife stayed up for hours trying to get the smell off of him with no luck.

Many months and several haircuts later the skunk smell was mostly gone.

Now that spring is just around the corner that means skunks are about to start mating and this will greatly increase the chance of you or your pet having a run-in with those little stinkers.

When Do Skunks Mate?

Skunk mating season stretches from February through the end of March, a time when male skunks head out into the night looking for mates, sometimes traveling up to six miles from their dens.

This increased activity often leads to more frequent encounters between skunks and humans, as well as the unmistakable scent left behind when males attempt to woo less-than-receptive females

You can't stop skunks from mating but you can take these steps to make your house a less attractive place to find a mate.

Love Stinks! How To Keep Mating Michigan Skunks Away

Eliminate Food Sources: Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving pet food outside. Removing fallen fruit from your yard and keeping birdseed off the ground can also reduce skunk attractions.

Habitat Modification: Clear away brush piles, woodpiles, and other debris that could provide shelter for skunks. Seal off potential den sites such as openings under porches, decks, and sheds with sturdy materials.

Use Repellents: Ammonia-soaked rags or mothballs placed in areas where skunks frequent can deter them due to their pungent odors. Additionally, commercially available predator urine, pepper sprays, and citrus peels may offer some deterrent effect.

Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices can startle skunks with a burst of water, encouraging them to seek less surprising surroundings.

Bright Lights: Since skunks are nocturnal, installing bright yard lights or motion-activated lighting can discourage them from entering your property.

Professional Removal: If a skunk has already established a den on your property, especially if it's suspected to be a mother with kits, consider contacting a professional wildlife removal service. Experts can safely and humanely relocate the skunk family, reducing the risk of separation or distress.

Even though I'm not a fan of skunks they do eat a variety of garden pests, including mice, voles, beetles, various larvae, wasps, and crickets. Plus this little guy is so freaking cute!